Bnei Menashe of North East India claim descent from ancient Israelite tribe -- seek to emigrate

Quote:

In the Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, far in the northeast near the Burmese border, some 7,000 people observe the Jewish Sabbath, kosher dietary laws and rules of family purity. Already, 1,400 of these people, known as Bnei Menashe, have immigrated to Israel. The remaining 7,000 wish to join their brethren as soon as possible in relocating to the Holy Land, the act known in Hebrew as aliyah.

The Israeli Chief Rabbinate affirmed several years ago that the Bnei Menashe are of Jewish ancestry. However, they must undergo a formal conversion process before being recognized as Jewish under rabbinic law. This would qualify them for numerous benefits under the Law of Return, e.g., citizenship and subsidies for resettlement. (Paid for in large part by the U.S.)

Better that these Third Worlders should wind up in the Jewish state than here.